Train-order box in connection with semaphores.



Patented May I3, I902.

I. G. HOAG.

TRAIN ORDER BOX IN CONNECTION WITH SEMAPHORES.

(Application filed Mar. 6, 1902.)

(No Model.)

W/T/VESSE'S llrvrrn drains Parent rricn.

IRA G. IIOAG, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TRAIN- ORDER BOX IN CONNECTION WITH SEIVIAPHORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,755, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed March 6, 1902.

T0 at whmw it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA G. HOAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los An geles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Order Boxes in Connection with semaphores, (supplementary to Letters Patent No. 692,666, granted to me February a, 1902, for train-order boxes,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in train-order boxes in combination with the means usually used for working semaphores; and the object of my invention is to provide a stationary train-order box for the reception of train-orders, way-bills, telegrams, or other important papers for trainmen, which is op eratively connected with the semaphore, so that it will be impossible for an operator to forget and clear a train by dropping his order-board in the usual manner until he has delivered his train-orders or other important papers. I accomplish this object by the device described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whichisaperspective view of a station equipped with my improved device, the end of the office being removed for clearness of illustration.

In the operation of railroads it is necessary that the movement of the train shall be controlled bya train-despatcher at a central station, who sends to the outlying stations on the line of the road orders to the various trains as to where trains shall pass each other and in relation to various other matters connected with the movement of the trains. These orders are sent to the various stations on the line of road, and are written out at such stations by the operator thereat, and should be delivered to the conductor in charge of the train. Sometimes it has happened that the operator has neglected to deliver such order to the train-crew, and a train which should have stopped at the station or passed or met a train at some other station, as per such order telegraphed by the train-despateher, has gone on its way and collisions have occurred occasioning loss of life as well as destruction of property. The local operator always intends to deliver such orders, but in the rush of business or through forgetfulness fails so to do. The object of my present improve- Serial No. 97,004. (No model.)

ment is to render such carelessness practically impossible.

In the drawing, A is the local operators table at which he operates when receiving train-orders, the telegraphic instruments and lines not being shown, as not necessary to the illustration of my invention, on the front portion of which are mounted the stationary order-boxes C and 0, adapted when in position, as shown by box 0, for the reception of trainorders, (represented at D,) being shown therein. When there are orders for the approaching train, the operator receives and writes the order upon an order-blank and places it in the order-box. Before an operator can receive a train-order he must first place the lever G, hinged to the floor, as shown, and connected to the semaphore-arm I by the cable H, to danger position, as shown at G, then take hold of the cover K of the train-order box, which I call a locking-cover, hinged at M, as shown, and raise it up to vertical position, as shown at K, which will raise the interlocking bar Land throw the shoulder L on the locking-bar directly in front of the upright lever, as shown at G, safely looking it and prevent its being thrown back to a clear position,as shown at G, the interlocking bar being firmly held in its upright position by reason of the fact that the rounded shoulder P on the lockingbar contacts with the edge of the lever K and prevents the locking-bar from falling down and out of the Way of the lockinglever. The top and front of the train-order box are now open for the operator to take his stylus and train-order blanks therefrom, receive his orders from the train-despatcher and place them in the open box and leave them in the box, leaving his signal set at danger until the train arrives to receive them. Several train-orders may be placed in the box at one time, thus making a convenient and safe place for them. The face side of the locking cover when in an upright position may be painted red, as shown by the conventional lines thereon in the drawing, as a warning to operators that their semaphore is set at danger, the lever in the meantime being erly locked. In order to set the semaphore to a clear position, the operator must place the locking-cover on top of the train-order box, as shown at K. A spring N, mounted too on the box and properly placed to act on the interlocking bar, will force it over on top of the locking-cover, as at L, when the lever is released, and it may be pulled over to a clear position, as shown at G, the semaphore dropping into a clear position, as shown by semaphore I. As a general rule the levers are so constructed. that when in a position nearest to the operator they represent a clear board, and when farthest away the signal is set to danger position, as shown by semaphore J, the lever being shown at G. By the peculiar construction of the interlocking bar, which swings on pivots M close beside the edge of the lever when set at clear, it will tilt over in front of the lever when at danger only. When thelever is at clear, it is impossible for the operator to raise the locking-cover, which is now partially covered by interlocking bar, which rests against the upright lever G, thus preventing opening the order-box until the lever is set to danger position G. When the cover of the box is in a horizontal position or down, it looks the order-box. When raised to a vertical position, it looks or holds in place the interlocking bar.

I have secured on the front or free end of the locking-cover a transverse end B, being wide and adapted thereby to obstruct the entrance into or use of the order-box when in the closed position, as shown at R, and being up and out of the way when in the open position (shown at R) for the reception of orders. Therefore it will be plain that when the order-box is closed it will be impossible for an operator to secure his stylus and trainorder blanks to write a train-order without opening the order-box, and in order to open the order-box the semaphore-arm will move to the danger position. Therefore I obtain a safety appliance in either case, so that it is practically impossible for an operator to make a mistake by not delivering his orders to the train.

Having described my invention, what' I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination in a gravity-operated semaphore of the semaphore-arm operatively connected with the operating-lever with a stationary train-order box having a swinging cover adapted to be swung open and uncover the box only after the operatinglever is thrown to the danger position and means substantially as shown to prevent the movement of the lever to a clear position until after the cover is closed.

2. In a gravity-operated semaphore system, in which the semaphore-arms are operated by lovers in the office of the local operator, a train-order box, having a swinging cover arranged to prevent the use of the box when the cover is closed, means to hold the cover closed and prevent it being opened until after the operating-lever is thrown to the danger position, carrying the semaphore-arm to the same position, means to hold said lever in said danger position until after the box is closed.

3. In a gravity-operated semaphore system the combination with the semaphore-arm operatively connected with an operating-lever of a stationary train-order box, the said box being provided with a swinging cover, a locking-bar hinged to the side of the box and arranged when closed to lay upon the cover and prevent the cover from being opened when the bar is in a closed position, the bottom of the said locking-bar adapted to contact with the operating-lever when out of a danger position and be prevented thereby from being opened except when the bar is in a clear position, the said locking-bar being provided with a shoulder therein to engage the operating-lever when the locking-bar is in the open position and prevent the lever from moving from that position while in the open position, the said locking-bar adapted to contact with the edge of the cover while the cover is open and be thereby prevented from being closed while the cover is in the open position as shown 4:. The combination in a semaphore system of the stationary train-order box 0 having swinging cover K provided with the front end B the locking-bar L, hinged to the side of the box and having shoulder P to engage the edge of the cover and thereby prevent the cover from accidental closing, the locking-bar being also provided with the lever-engaging shoulder L to hold the lever in the danger position while the locking-bar is open, the locking-bar hinged adjacent to the lever and adapted to block the path of the lever and prevent the movement of the lever while the locking-bar is open, but to permit the free movement of the lever when the locking-bar is closed.

5. A stationary train-order box having a swinging cover arranged to prevent the use of the box when closed, and a swinging locking-bar hinged thereon adapted to hold the cover shut when the bar is closed, in combination with an operating-lever operatively connected with a semaphore-arm, the lever arranged to swing in a path and prevent the locking-bar from being opened when the lever is out of the danger position, and the bar, being provided with a shoulder to engage and hold the lever in the danger position when the bar is open, the locking-bar arranged to contactwith the cover when the cover is open and be prevented thereby from closing while the cover is open.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of February, 1902.

IRA G. IIOAG.

\Vitnesses:

G. E. I-IARPHAM, M. O. NIoKELnsoN. 

